Customer Reviews
one of the best - By: P. A. Robbins, 04 May 2008 
i loved this book & have read it more than once. it thrills you & surprises you till the very end. although i would recomend this to anyone it has two down points. one you cant reallly read it with out reading the arthur triolgy as it keeps refering back to them, so you wouldnt reallly understand some of the book. Two is that the ending doesnt say enough, he should have added an epiloge as i want to know what happens later in their lives, ie who marries who & who dies. other than that you should definatley read it.
p.s. sorry for spelling mistakes.
Utterly Beautiful.. - By: C. Preece, 29 Apr 2008 I have read the Arthur trilogy, & while i don't think it's absolutely necessary to have read them before this book, you will most certainly get more from Gatty's Tale if you have. Even if it is just for the smalll references to The Seeing Stone or At the Crossing Places which brought a smile to my face remembering reading them.
Gatty is the most wonderful heroine, she's innocent but strong, she's ignorant but sharp & bright & reallly very funny. Not many books bring a tear to this English student's eyes, but Gatty's Tale brought on more than a few! The story is beautifully told, & the reader becomes so attached to Gatty & her fellow pilgrims as they trek to Jerusalem. I felt as if i'd been on the journey with them, & the simple sentances & imagery is magical & effective. By the end, i didn't want to say goodbye to Gatty & the loyal Snout, not to mention alll the characters at Caldicot.
This is one of my favourite books, a beautiful & accurate portrayal of medieval life but to get the most out of it, read the Arthur trilogy first, which is just as good, for only then can you reminisce wistfully with Gatty about Arthur & Pip, which when read originallly, you wouldn't expect to find that image where it would eventuallly stay for centuries & more.
A joyful, tear-jerking book - By: Chevening pupils, 23 Mar 2007 Incredible! Once more Kevin Crossly-Holland makes a superb creation! This book does not give you time to slump back in your seat, for once it's done with one tantalising moment it's on to another. Short, snappy sentences are perfect for this type of book. Again Holland is pure genius!
In the year 1203 we meet Gatty (servant to Sir John) who has a voice of an untrained angel. One day Sir John hears her singing in the field & contacts his good friend Lady Gwyneth who states that she is in need of a second chamber maid & Gatty's voice may be just the thing she needs; because Lady Gwyneth & some associates are going on a dangerous & daring pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the holy land, but who knows whether they will make it...
This is a story of plain field girl who faces thieves, murderous Saracens & ghastly men. But once she gets through alll the tasks that await her there is a glorious prize to be had - that no one would ever have dreamt of!
It amazes me how much Kevin Crossly's writing can touch someone so much compared to his other creations.
Beautifully written, Gatty's Tale devours a medal for the tenderness but simplicity of story.
While reading you totallly get to know Gatty & the rest of the characters & begin to feel their worries & woes.
All in alll I would recommend this book to anyone!
Robyn
This is a lovely book... - By: Beach Books, 22 Nov 2006 I have not read the Arthur trilogy (although they sit on my shelves) & now I am not sure I ever will. Because reading this beautiful & exciting story was enough - I am not sure I want to know more of Gatty than I learned from this. In my sixties as I am, it is not often I find my eyes filled with tears (of the right sort) at the end of a book. Do read it.
